
Session I: Safety
Ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods and passengers is a top priority of state departments of transportation. This session will focus on new freight, passenger rail, and grade crossing safety initiatives at the federal and state level.
Webinar Recording: Click here
Panelist:
Session II: Analysis for Communities with Restored Freight/Passenger Rail Access
Investment in freight and passenger rail transportation across the United States can result in a wide range of economic benefits. This session will focus on the relationship between rail transportation and economic results, the methods used to enhance the overall understanding of rail investment at the state and local level, and the current and future outlook on rail investments across the country.
Webinar Recording: Click here
Panelist:
Session III: Federal Railroad Administration
Join leaders from AASHTO and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) as they discuss key priorities for freight and passenger rail funding, current and upcoming rulemakings, and other federal initiatives for rail transportation. This session will provide members and FRA the opportunity to discuss key challenges and opportunities as the economy recovers from the national emergency.
Webinar Recording: Click here
Panelist:
- Paul Nissenbaum, FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Policy and Development
- Jamie Rennert, FRA Director, Office of Infrastructure Investment
- Karl Alexy, FRA Associate Administrator for Railroad Safety/Chief Safety Officer
- Michael Johnsen, FRA Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist
- Monique Stewart, FRA General Engineer
Session IV: Planning Requirements for State Rail Offices
State departments of transportation have a variety of planning requirements involving state rail offices including freight plans, rail plans, state highway safety plans, and a new requirement for the development of highway–railway grade crossing safety action plans. This session will focus on how states are developing the plans, innovative approaches for various planning requirements, sharing of best practices, lessons learned, and an update from Federal partners.
Webinar Recording: Click here
Panelist:
- Nikkie Johnson, Michigan DOT & Joe Gurski, WSP
- Brian Hare, Pennsylvania DOT
- Lisa Stern, Wisconsin DOT
- Lee Bonner, Nevada DOT & Michael Sussman, Strategic Rail Finance
- James Payne & Debra Chappell, FRA
- Tiffany Julien & Brandon Wilcox, Federal Highway Administration

AASHTO Liaisons
Shayne Gill
Program Director for Multimodal Transportation
202-624-3630
sgill@aashto.org
Oscar Bermudez
Associate Program Manager for Multimodal Transportation
202-624-7797
obermudez@aashto.org